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REACTION: Coach Ian Foster said the All Blacks need to keep their heads during their Northern Hemisphere tour after being made to sweat for their 38-31 win over Japan in Tokyo on Saturday.

SPOTLIGHT: England prop Mako Vunipola believes their series win in Australia has pointed the way to a successful World Cup push.

REACTION: Japan head coach Jamie Joseph said teams are not scared of the All Blacks any more after his side pushed them all the way before losing 31-38 in Tokyo on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: Leinster made it seven wins from seven in their first block of United Rugby Championship fixtures by beating the Scarlets 35-5 in Llanelli.

REACTION: All Blacks head coach Ian Foster believes that rustiness played a big part in their unconvincing Northern Hemisphere tour opener against Japan in Tokyo on Saturday.

SPOTLIGHT: Antoine Dupont admitted that the World Cup his country will host next year looms large, but insisted the focus was on continuing his side's fine form that has seen them notch up 10 straight wins.

MATCH REPORT: Gloucester reeled off a fourth successive Premiership victory and climbed to third in the table after beating Exeter 38-22 at Kingsholm.

MATCH REPORT: Glasgow were convincing winners in a 37-0 bonus-point victory over a disappointingly flat Benetton at Scotstoun, despite being without their Scotland contingent.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Round Seven United Rugby Championship encounter between the Lions and the Stormers at Ellis Park in Johannesburg.

MATCH REPORT: The All Blacks were made to work hard for a 38-31 win over Japan in Tokyo on Saturday as they kicked off their Northern Hemisphere tour.

NEWS: English giants Wasps are to be relegated from the Premiership after entering administration.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Keiran Crowley announced a 34-man squad for Italy's three Test matches in the upcoming year-end Tests.

PREVIEW: On Sunday, Australia will become the latest team to attempt to end England's record winning run when they meet at Waitakere Stadium in Auckland.

QUARTERFINAL SATURDAY WRAP: Wing Portia Woodman became the most prolific try-scorer in women's Rugby World Cup history as New Zealand crushed Wales 55-3 in their quarterfinal on Saturday.

OPINION: The All Blacks travelled to Tokyo to take on Japan in the first match of their Northern tour and were met by a plucky Brave Blossoms side that never gave up.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Test between Japan and New Zealand in Tokyo.

PREVIEW: Australia head into their European tour opener against Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday with coach Dave Rennie urging the Wallabies to be "far more clinical" than in last year's corresponding fixture.

PREVIEW: All Blacks head coach Ian Foster said that his players were ready to show that their troubles were behind them as they kick off their Northern Hemisphere tour on Saturday against Japan.

WATCH as World Cup-winning former Springbok captain gives his view on the Springbok flyhalf dilemma.

NEWS: Willem Strauss, more affectionately and casually referred to as ‘Mnr Pres’ by those within the walls at Loftus Versfeld, was once again entrusted with president reigns of the Blue Bulls Rugby Union for another four-year term.

Financially stricken Worcester might be saved from administration by its former director Steve Diamond but the road back to the English Premiership might take four years.

WATCH as South Africa's Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus reveals the dramatic turn of events that resulted in a surprise call-up for Cornal Hendricks to the SA 'A' team.

NEWS: Springbok prop Vincent Koch has found a new club ten days after he was among the 167 players and staff made redundant after Wasps fell into administration.

SATURDAY AND SUNDAY PREVIEW: The South African derbies will take centre stage this weekend ahead of the break for the end-of-year international window.

SPOTLIGHT: Head coach Gregor Townsend said on Thursday the "door was open" for playmaker Finn Russell after naming Blair Kinghorn at flyhalf for Scotland's end-of-year international opener at home to Australia this weekend.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White has revealed his team for their United Rugby Championship Round Seven clash against the Sharks in Pretoria on Sunday.

Tim Mikkelson’s return to the All Blacks Sevens team for the Hong Kong Sevens next week has been postponed after suffering an achilles injury in training.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENTS: The Springbok management team have revealed the Bok and South Africa 'A' squads for their upcoming November tour.

WATCH as Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber and South Africa's Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus unpack the selection decision surrounding the flyhalf position.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Lions head coach Ivan van Rooyen has revealed his team to face the Stormers in a United Rugby Championship Round Seven clash in Johannesburg on Saturday.

FRIDAY PREVIEW: Glasgow Warriors are ready to put a disruptive period behind them when they face Benetton in Round Seven of this season's United Rugby Championship.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Stormers coach John Dobson has made eight changes to the starting line-up for their United Rugby Championship clash with the Lions in Johannesburg on Saturday as five Springboks are unavailable for the South African derby.

The Springbok Sevens team for the opening tournament of the 2023 World Rugby Sevens Series has a familiar look to it, with several players who missed out on the Rugby World Cup Sevens included for the trip to Hong Kong.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Sharks head coach Sean Everitt has revealed his team to face the Bulls in a United Rugby Championship Round Seven clash in Pretoria on Sunday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Late bloomer Jock Campbell is set to make his debut for Australia from the bench when they face Scotland in their tour opener on Saturday.

All Blacks coach Ian Foster said he is disappointed that their scheduled game against Japan in Tokyo will clash with that of the Black Ferns’ quarterfinal match against Wales on Saturday.

Ellis Genge could be the ace in Eddie Jones’ deck of cards for the England captaincy while Courtney Lawes and Owen Farrell are recovering from the concussions sustained on club duty.

SPOTLIGHT: Marcell Coetzee is confident the Bulls will have a strong leadership group when he is away in Japan.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend has revealed his team for their end-of-year opener against Australia at Murrayfield on Saturday.

Flyhalf Jean-Luc Du Plessis has left a lot of tongues wagging as he was spotted training with the Stormers on Wednesday.

INTERVIEW: United Rugby Championship boss Martin Anayi has hailed the rise of the underdog amid a much more competitive league so far this season.

Ex-Wallaby Jack Dempsey is well on his way to facing his old team as he seems to be recovering well from a rib injury and could make his debut for Scotland against Australia at Murrayfield.

SPOTLIGHT: Sharks prop Ntuthuko Mchunu admitted that it was a big shock when they were not allowed to build on their momentum against Ulster last weekend.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Fullback Stephen Perofeta and centre Roger Tuivasa-Sheck will start a Test for the first time when the All Blacks play Japan in Tokyo on Saturday in the opening match of their Northern Hemisphere tour.

SPOTLIGHT: The Springbok coaching team expressed their satisfaction as a group of players wrapped up their three-day training camp in Stellenbosch on Wednesday.

South Africa’s Aimee Barrett-Theron has been appointed to officiate the quarterfinal of the Rugby World Cup between host nation New Zealand and Wales on Saturday at Northland Events Centre in Whangārei.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENTS: New Zealand's five Super Rugby franchises have revealed their squads ahead of the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific season.

SQUAD UPDATE: The All Blacks XV have called in an additional six players to join the squad, ahead of their inaugural Northern Tour against Ireland 'A' and Barbarians.

NEWS: The match officials appointments of the United Rugby Championship Round Seven fixtures have been confirmed

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Japan head coach Jamie Joseph has revealed his team for Saturday's Test against the All Blacks in Tokyo.

Having started their rugby careers together in the under-10s, Wallabies wing Andrew Kellaway admits it will be strange to line up against new Scotland recruit Jack Dempsey.

WATCH as Martin Anayi explains how the URC can avoid the financial strife that is bedevilling the Premiership.

SPOTLIGHT: Leaders in New Zealand have slammed New Zealand Rugby for "disgraceful" scheduling that will see the All Blacks and Black Ferns matches clash this weekend.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Lions are ready to unload their pepped-up frustrations on the Stormers.

REACTION: Blue Bulls Rugby Union President Willem Strauss did not hold back his excitement about Wilco Louw's move to Pretoria next year.

INTERVIEW: Ireland coach Andy Farrell said he had yet to rule out any of his squad's injured players from next week's November opener against world champions South Africa.

SPOTLIGHT: One of the All Blacks' veterans flew to Japan on Wednesday as a late addition to the New Zealand tour squad after revealing his delayed departure had been the result of jumping around with his children on a trampoline.

WATCH as URC CEO Martin Anayi makes a startling suggestion that Ulster and Glasgow Warriors brought the bugs with them that caused the postponement of their games in South Africa.

WATCH as South Africa's Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus explains where the women are in the national pecking order and what the future holds for the female game.

AWARDS: All The winners at the Western Province Rugby Awards Ceremony have been revealed.

TEAM NEWS: Justin Tipuric will captain Wales in their November international campaign.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Australia flank Michael Hooper said on Monday he was "excited" to be back with the squad after missing six games earlier this year due to the "rollercoaster" nature of Test rugby.

Italy second-row forward Sara Tounesi was banned for 12 matches for biting an opponent in the women's Rugby World Cup in New Zealand on Tuesday.

WATCH as Stormers coach John Dobson tactfully sidesteps questions about another debatable day at the office for match officials.

WATCH AS Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White unpacks his team's tour of Europe and talks about the crucial Round Seven encounter with a 'well-rested' Sharks team.

SQUAD UPDATE: England coach Eddie Jones faces a huge injury crisis ahead of the Nations Series.

NEWS: South Africa will line up against New Zealand at Twickenham in England for only the second time ever when they clash in a Rugby World Cup warm-up fixture on August 25.

NEWS: World player of the year Antoine Dupont will captain France in the three November Tests, the French Rugby Federation announced on Monday.

Recalled centre Anton Lienert-Brown said that the All Blacks will not take Japan lightly when they meet in Tokyo this weekend, insisting they were now "a feared opponent".

INJURY UPDATE: Veteran lock forward Brodie Retallick shrugged off disruption to the start of the All Blacks' Northern Hemisphere tour.

INJURY UPDATE: Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has been left counting the cost after the United Rugby Championship Irish derby between Leinster and Munster on Saturday at the Aviva Stadium.

REACTION: Irish province Ulster stoutly defended their decision to call off their scheduled Round Six United Rugby Championship match with the Sharks at the weekend.

REACTION: It had to happen eventually. Cardiff is the team that ended an amazing 16-game unbeaten run by the Stormers.

NEWS: Springbok wing Sbu Nkosi was reportedly sent home early from the Bulls' tour for breaking team protocols.

MATCH REPORT: Flying wing Rio Dyer scored two tries as Dragons won a thrilling Welsh derby with a 32-25 United Rugby Championship victory over Ospreys at Rodney Parade.

NEWS: The Bulls are strengthening their front five with the acquisition of tighthead Wilco Louw, who is set to leave Harlequins next July.

REACTION: The Stormers rolled out some of their big guns, but it was brain that won over brawn at Arms Park at the weekend.

INJURY UPDATE: France has lost three key players on the eve of their year-end campaign, which includes meeting the World Cup champion Springboks.

SUNDAY WRAP: England turned on the power to rout South Africa 75-0 in Auckland on Sunday and set up a quarter-final against Australia as the last eight line-up was decided at the women's Rugby World Cup.

TEAM UPDATE: Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber has moved swiftly to bolster his flyhalf resources.

The Springbok Women were outplayed and outwitted by a better England team, who showed why they are undefeated for close to four years now and who exposed the lack of experience of the South African side in pressure situations.

SATURDAY WRAP: Alex Goode fired leaders Saracens to a sixth successive Premiership victory as his penalty with the game’s final kick edged out Exeter 22-20 at Sandy Park.

MATCH REPORT: Forgotten Wales flyhalf Rhys Priestland kicked six penalties to help Cardiff seal a famous 30-24 win over the Stormers at Arms Park on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: Marcus Smith starred with 24 points as Harlequins shattered Sale Sharks' unbeaten start to the English Premiership season with a 29-13 victory on Sunday.

MATCH REPORT: Leinster claimed a 27-13 victory over Munster in a hard-fought United Rugby Championship[ Irish derby in Dublin on Saturday.

SARTURDAY WRAP: Flyhalf Finn Russell said on Saturday it was a "good" thing he had been omitted from Scotland's year-end Tests squad after guiding his club Racing 92 to a 38-81 win over Montpellier in the Top 14.

MATCH REPORT: Edinburgh were 38-19 victors over Zebre in Parma on Saturday, but faced a stern second-half test from their hosts despite MJ Pelser's first-half red card.

REACTION: Sharks boss Marco Masotti has blasted United Rugby Championship officials on Twitter before quickly deleting the post, following the cancellations of two Round Six games at the weekend.

REACTION: Cheetahs head coach Hawies Fourie believes his team has to undergo a major transformation for their demanding task in this season's European Challenge Cup.

SQUAD UPDATE: The All Blacks have been forced to make changes to their squad ahead of their departure to Tokyo on Saturday.

SATURDAY WRAP: France, New Zealand and Australia all booked their spots in the quarterfinal of the World Cup in fine style.

INJURY UPDATE: The Bulls have paid a dear price for their impressive performance in Treviso on Friday.

URC REPORT: The Bulls produced a strong second-half performance to beat Benetton 44-22 in their final tour match in Treviso on Friday.

PREMIERSHIP REPORT: Wing Jonny May suffered a suspected dislocated elbow in Gloucester's 22-21 victory over London Irish on Friday and is now a major doubt for England's November internationals.

CHALLENGE SERIES WRAP: The Cheetahs ended their 2022 Challenge Series campaign with a 27-20 win over Griquas in Bloemfontein on Friday.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Round Six United Rugby Championship encounter between Cardiff and the Stormers ay Arms Park.

URC REPORT: Mack Hansen hunted down a Jack Carty kick for Connacht’s fifth and final try in a runaway 36-14 victory over the Scarlets at the Sportsground.

SATURDAY PREVIEW: if the spotlight was not already firmly on the defending champions, the cancellation of two of the Saturday matches means the Stormers certainly take centre stage.

BREAKING NEWS: The Round Six fixtures between the Sharks and Ulster, as well as the Lions versus Glasgow Warriors, have been postponed.

REACTION: Elton Jantjies says he "supports" the decision not to include him in the Bok squad for the upcoming November tour.

REACTION: Manu Samoa coach Seilala Mapusua believes New Zealand’s selection of Moana Pasifika’s Super Rugby Pacific centre Levi Aumua proves the All Blacks can still cherry-pick players who are qualified for Islands nations.

FEATURE: After five rounds we take a look at the top performers in the United Rugby Championship.

NEWS: Former England rugby captain Chris Robshaw on Friday announced his retirement following a succession of injuries.

No player has landed more crucial kicks over the past fifteen years than Bulls and Springbok flyhalf Morne Steyn.

SQUAD UPDATE: It seems like the England captain's armband is likely to be handed to Owen Farrell following RFU's latest news.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: The remaining five places in the quarter-finals, as well as the seedings for the knockout phase, will be decided in Whangārei and Auckland this weekend.

INTERVIEW: Newly appointed interim assistant coach Laurie Fisher has made it clear he won't tolerate mediocrity from the Wallabies on the five-Test year-end tour of Europe.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Round Six United Rugby Championship encounter between Benetton and the Bulls in Treviso.

SPOTLIGHT: The Bulls' Director of Rugby Jake White has called for "patience and understanding" when it comes to Johan Goosen's form.

FRIDAY PREVIEW: The Bulls will be desperate to bounce back from two away defeats as they enter their final tour game against the seventh-placed Benetton in Italy.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen has made a couple of changes to his team for their United Rugby Championship Round Six encounter with the dangerous Glasgow Warriors outfit.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Tighthead prop Frans Malherbe will become the most-capped Stormers player when he runs out at Cardiff Arms Park on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Springbok Women coach Stanley Raubenheimer made wholesale changes to his matchday squad to face England in their final Rugby World Cup Pool C clash.

PREVIEW: Former South Africa Under-20 captain Jeremy Ward said he is "finding his feet" at Stade Francais less than a month after arriving in France before hosting Brive in the Top 14 on Saturday.

NEWS: France head coach Fabien Galthié received some good news on Thursday.

INJURY UPDATE: South Africa's flyhalf crisis took a turn for the worse, with another seasoned player ruled out of the year-end tour.

TRANSFER NEWS: Griquas have managed to lure one of the Cheetahs' biggest diamonds to Kimberley.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Thomas du Toit will lead an experienced Sharks side against a strong Ulster team who will visit Kings Park for Saturday's United Rugby Championship showdown.

PREVIEW: Canterbury, South Canterbury and Mid Canterbury will all compete for national provincial titles this weekend.

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS: The Cheetahs have one last chance in a competitive match before their debut in the European Challenge Cup in December and they are determined to make the most of the opportunity.

NEWS: Brodie McAlister has re-signed with the Crusaders, adding depth and maturity to an already strong 2023 line- up.

SPOTLIGHT: Springbok legend Jean de Villiers believes a lack of game-plan options is the main reason for the Boks falling short in their Rugby Championship title bid.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Springbok management won’t convince anyone to don the Green and Gold against their will.

NEWS: Waratahs wing Mark Nawaqanitawase hopes to make the most of his surprise Wallabies call-up after cutting short his holidays to join the year-end tour squad.

NEWS: Eddie Jones' England side will face the current world No.1 ranked team Ireland in a key warm-up clash planned for before the 2023 World Cup.

BREAKING NEWS: Stormers prop Sazi Sandi had his red card and ban overturned and is free to play.

INTERVIEW: The Lions may be sitting pretty in fifth place on the United Rugby Championship table, but there is one bleak blot on their record they need to remove.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White has revealed his team for their final tour match against Benetton in Treviso on Friday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Racing 92 flyhalf Finn Russell has been left out of the Scotland squad for the year-end Tests, while Jamie Ritchie takes over the captaincy.

SPOTLIGHT: Sharks loose forward Siya Kolisi has been impressed by Neil Powell's work ethic on and off the field at the Sharks.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has named a 37-man squad for their upcoming November Tests against world champions South Africa, Fiji and Australia in Dublin.

NEWS: The match officials' appointments of the United Championship Round Six fixtures have been confirmed.

INTERVIEW: Skipper James Slipper says the Wallabies are treating the five-Test year-end tour of Europe like a mini World Cup ahead of next year's global showpiece.

SPOTLIGHT: Wales boss Wayne Pivac believes that New Zealand's blistering finish to the Rugby Championship makes them a "dangerous animal" ahead of their Northern Hemisphere tour.

NEWS: Another All Blacks star has made a decision about his playing future with the World Cup under a year away.

SPOTLIGHT: The addition of South African teams has made Irish rugby stronger, not only on the field but in the boardroom as well.

Springboks management confirmed that Elton Jantjies will miss the end-of-year tour in November.

NEWS: Glasgow Warriors received some good news ahead of their United Rugby Championship Round Six clash against the Lions in Johannesburg on Saturday.

SQUAD UPDATE: Bordeaux-Begles' uncapped No.8 Bastien Vergnes-Taillefer was called up to replace Jordan Joseph in Fabien Galthie's 42-man France squad for the November Tests.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Dan Biggar has been left out of Wales' end-of-year squad with a knee injury but Leigh Halfpenny, Ken Owens and Justin Tipuric are back on international duty after more than a year away.

SPOTLIGHT: Springbok legend Jean de Villiers believes the flyhalf position is a "big red flag" for the Springboks ahead of their Tests in Europe next month.

SPOTLIGHT: The pain of their last-minute defeat to Fiji still lingers, but the Springbok Women have changed track in mindset and focus and are now getting ready for the biggest challenge of their careers.

SPOTLIGHT: Stormers forwards coach Rito Hlungwani is hoping referees will be more aware of what is going on when it comes to mauling.

NEWS: The Springboks will begin their preparations for the Outgoing Tour to the Northern Hemisphere on Sunday with a three-day training camp in Stellenbosch, where 26 players are set to assemble.

NEWS: France head coach Fabien Galthie has revealed his squad for the upcoming November Tests.

SPOTLIGHT: After a thrilling win over the Lions in Johannesburg, Ulster will now be heading into their match against a star-studded Sharks outfit full of confidence.

Returning to the European stage is set to be a very demanding challenge for the Cheetahs.

NEWS: All Blacks loose forward Ardie Savea will get a taste of rugby outside of New Zealand.

The story of where it all went wrong for Wasps

NEWS: Former Wasps centre Ross Neal has retired due to concussion at the age of 26 it has been confirmed by his club.

SPOTLIGHT: Wallabies head coach Dave Rennie has explained some of his selections for his team's upcoming end-of-year tour.

SPOTLIGHT: Libbie Janse van Rensburg has opened up on her contributions and that defeat to Fiji.

TRANSFER NEWS: Gloucester Rugby announced the arrivals of Alex Hearle, Seb Atkinson and Finn Theobald-Thomas from Worcester Warriors.

NEWS: English rugby giants Wasps were Monday placed into administration -with all the players made redundant - and now face relegation from the English Premiership.

TOP 14 REPORT: European champions La Rochelle notched up a bonus-point 32-5 win over Toulon to move into second in the Top 14 on Sunday.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: England head coach Eddie Jones has revealed his squad for the upcoming November internationals.

INJURY UPDATE: Three Ireland internationals have been ruled out in Andy Farrell’s plans for the Nations Series this November. 

REACTION:  Lions head coach Ivan van Rooyen has shed light on the unwanted United Rugby Championship home record his side is building.

SPOTLIGHT: Rugby Football Union chief executive Bill Sweeney has thrown the organisation's support behind a 10-team Premiership to help solve the financial crisis in the English top flight.

TRANSFER NEWS: Sharks have confirmed that Springbok centre Francois Venter will join the Durban franchise.

PREMIERSHIP REPORT: Leicester Tigers moved up to fifth in the Premiership standings after they recorded a 27-19 win over Harlequins at Twickenham Stoop on Sunday.

REACTION: Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White once again preferred to focus on the positives after his team produced another poor performance in this season's United Rugby Championship.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Veteran flank Michael Hooper was included in Australia's squad Sunday for their five-Test tour of Europe after pulling out of the Rugby Championship with "mindset" issues.

WRAP: The weekend ended on a thrilling note when Fiji scored a try in the final minute to upset South Africa 21-17 to secure their first win in tournament history.

TOP 14 WRAP: Australian lock Richie Arnold scored on his return from a one-month ban as leaders Toulouse hammered Brive 45-7 in the French Top 14 on Saturday.

REACTION: Sharks head coach Sean Everitt says Bok lock Eben Etzebeth thoroughly deserved his man-of-the-match award after Saturday's 40-12 win over Glasgow Warriors in Durban.

URC REPORT: The Bulls suffered their second straight defeat on their United Rugby Championship tour.

MATCH REPORT: Duhan van der Merwe scored two tries on his return to Edinburgh colours as the Scottish club triumphed 53-8 over Benetton.

MATCH REPORT: Ulster have snuffed out a spirited Lions fightback to secure a crucial 39-37 win at Ellis Park on Saturday. 

URC REPORT: Scarlets claimed their first win of the United Rugby Championship season after a 36-12 home success over Zebre Parma.

PREMIERSHIP SATURDAY WRAP: Northampton Saints held off a Newcastle Falcons fightback to secure a nerve-jangling 32-31 win at cinch Stadium at Franklin's Gardens.

MATCH REPORT: Cardiff continued their impressive record against the Dragons by taking their winning run in the fixture to 15 matches with a 31-14 bonus-point victory at the Arms Park.

MATCH REPORT:  Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth kicked off his Sharks career in fine fashion, helping the Durban franchise record a 40-12 win over Glasgow Warriors on Saturday. 

MATCH REPORT: Veteran flyhalf Stephen Myler kicked a late conversion to snatch a draw for hosts Ospreys against the defending-champion Stormers in filthy conditions in Swansea on Friday.

SPOTLIGHT: Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White loves players who can perform more than one role on the field and Wandisile Simelane is his next big project.

REACTION: Stormers head coach John Dobson believes his team produced a satisfactory performance in filthy conditions against Ospreys in Swansea on Friday.

MATCH REPORT: Ciaran Frawley's 76th-minute penalty ensured Leinster beat Connacht 10-0 at the Sportsground to make it five wins from five this season.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Round Five United Rugby Championship encounter between Munster and the Bulls at Thomond Park in Limerick.

MATCH REPORT: Sale Sharks moved to the top of the Premiership table courtesy of their bonus-point win over London Irish.

SATURDAY PREVIEW: Saturday is set to be another big day for three of South Africa's four URC teams.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Round Five United Rugby Championship encounter between the Sharks and Glasgow Warriors at Kings Park in Durban.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Round Five United Rugby Championship encounter between the Lions and Ulster at Ellis Park in Johannesburg.

SPOTLIGHT: Sharks head coach Sean Everitt has confirmed that Rohan Janse van Rensburg has received a suspension for foul play.

NEWS: Glasgow Warriors arrived in South Africa for a two-match tour without their coach.

WATCH as the high tackle on Steven Kitshoff goes unpunished.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT:  Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White has made a couple of changes to the side that will take on Munster on Saturday in Limerick. 

MATCH REPORT: The Cheetahs produced a second-half rout the beat the touring United States Falcons 53-25 in their Challenge Series clash in Bloemfontein on Friday.

WORLD CUP WRAP: England cemented their status as favourites for the Women's Rugby World Cup but were pushed all the way in a 13-7 win over France in New Zealand on Saturday.

TOP 14 PREVIEW: Toulon centre Duncan Paia'aua said team-mate and former La Rochelle flyhalf Ihaia West is helping his new outfit to "get the jump on" his former side before they meet in the French Top 14 on Sunday.

TRANSFER NEWS: Another big name heads to Montpellier.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Round Five United Rugby Championship encounter between Ospreys and Stormers in Swansea.

WATCH as B&I Lions legend Jamie Roberts and Springbok legend Breyton Paulse unpack South Africa's success in the URC.

WATCH as Stormers coach John Dobson responds to rumours that World Cup-winning Springbok prop Steven Kitshoff and Baby Bok captain Sacha Mngomezulu are on the wish lists of European teams.

REACTION: Premiership Rugby and the Rugby Football Union have issued a joint statement on Thursday after Wasps became the latest club to be suspended.

FRIDAY FRENZY: 'On paper, the hardest game on tour for us!'

SPOTLIGHT: Jaden Hendrikse is confident he will be playing alongside his brother, Jordan, in a Springbok team one day.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Lions head coach Ivan van Rooyen has made five changes to his starting team for Saturday's United Rugby Championship Round Five clash against Ulster in Johannesburg.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Springbok Women coach Stanley Raubenheimer retained his starting XV for their second Rugby World Cup clash in New Zealand.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Sharks head coach Sean Everitt has revealed a strong matchday squad for Saturday's United Rugby Championship Round Five clash against Glasgow in Durban.

SPOTLIGHT: South Africa is a factory when it comes to producing talented midfielders and Henco van Wyk is another one off the production line.

FRIDAY FRENZY: Cheetahs coach Hawies Fourie is looking at the 'bigger picture' as he fields a much-changed team in his side's third match in the Challenge Series.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: New Zealand, Wales, Canada, Italy, England and France put their unbeaten starts on the line in Auckland and Whangārei this weekend.

FEATURE: Cheetahs coach Hawies Fourie and American counterpart Gary Gold open up about the mouthwatering scrap between two midfield monsters in Bloemfontein on Friday.

SPOTLIGHT: In the wake of the theatrical revelation that another English club is about to go under, the human cost of the cash crunch has escaped the spotlight.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Leolin Zas will make his return to the Stormers' starting line-up for the United Rugby Championship encounter with Ospreys in Swansea on Friday.

INTERVIEW: Ospreys boss Toby Booth has been speaking about the challenge of matching the standards set by the South African sides in the United Championship as he prepares to take on the Stormers.

SPOTLIGHT: Eddie Jones is determined for his long-standing association with the World Cup to continue beyond the conclusion of his England coaching tenure next year.

BREAKING NEWS: England's Premiership is facing a worrying crisis, with a second club kicked out of the competition as a result of growing financial concerns.

INTERVIEW: Faced with a high-riding Lions side this coming weekend in the United Rugby Championship, Ulster will arrive in Johannesburg brimming with confidence.

SPOTLIGHT: Sharks flyhalf Henry Chamberlain is hoping the Bok coaches are keeping a close eye on him.

SPOTLIGHT: Flyhalf Chris Smith is the Bulls' go-to guy at No.10 in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship, and he's done so steadily, and almost stealthily.

SPOTLIGHT: Paul Delport has broken his silence on the state of women's rugby in South Africa.

NEWS: The match officials' appointments of the United Rugby Championship Round Five fixtures have been confirmed.

BREAKING NEWS: Wasps have become the latest club to fall prey to the cash crunch bedevilling the Premiership.

SPOTLIGHT: Springbok scrumhalf Jaden Hendrikse believes the returning Springboks could be the catalysts to take the Sharks to the next level over the next few weeks.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: The Ulster coaching team have named the squad that will travel to South Africa to play the Lions and Sharks over the next two weekends in the United Rugby Championship.

NEWS: Paul Delport has decided to step down as the Springbok Women’s Sevens coach following the Rugby World Cup Sevens in Cape Town last month, where South Africa finished 14th overall.

NEWS: The Highlanders' coaching group for the upcoming Super Rugby Pacific season has found its missing piece.

SPOTLIGHT: For long-time supporters of top Irish provincial team Munster a glance at the current United Rugby Championship log must be both an unusual and depressing experience.

NEWS: The chief executive of the 2023 Rugby World Cup, Claude Atcher, was removed from his position Tuesday by tournament organisers after he was suspended in August by France's sports minister due to "alarming managerial practices".

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Stormers flyhalf Manie Libbok has addressed recent speculation about his Springbok prospects.

NEWS: Twins Jean-Luc and Dan du Preez have both made big contract decisions.

TRANSFER NEWS: Saracens announced the signing of Tom Howe and Andrew Kitchener on short-term deals.

WATCH AS Bulls backs coach Chris Rossouw speaks about last week's loss to Glasgow and facing Munster in Limerick this week.

It’s been Marco Bortolami’s lifelong dream to work as a mechanic for Ferrari, but right now it’s his Benetton team that he has firing on all cylinders.

WATCH as Cheetahs coach Hawies Fourie calls out Emerging Ireland over their gamesmanship.

NEWS: Former Wallabies coach Michael Cheika is determined not to lose focus as a potential clash looms between his two national coaching roles across both codes of rugby.

WATCH as World Cup-winning former Springbok captain John Smit unpacks the way to get the best out of the Sharks' suite of Stirling stars.

WATCH as Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White unpacks the way forward, after his team's first loss of the season.

SQUAD UPDATE: Springbok duo Herschel Jantjies and Damian Willemse will return to South Africa following the Stormers' win over Zebre at the weekend.

WATCH as Stormers coach John Dobson explains what he has in mind for South Africa Under-20 captain Sacha Mngomezulu this season.

Sharks wing Thaakir Abrahams produced a stunning individual effort with a wow factor reminiscent of fellow countryman and Springboks star Cheslin Kolbe in the Sharks' 34-54 defeat to Leinster.

MATCH REPORT: The Emerging Irish team completed their short tour of South African unbeaten, edging a willing Cheetahs outfit 21-14 in Bloemfontein on Sunday.

SUNDAY WRAP: Saracens continued their unbeaten start to the Premiership season with a comprehensive 34-14 victory at Newcastle.

REACTION: Love him, or hate him, Johnny Sexton is world-class.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Sale Sharks have appointed their first-ever mental health lead, becoming the first Premiership club to officially partner up with the mental health movement.

MATCH REPORT: Impressive Benetton beat the Dragons 34-14 to climb into fourth place in the United Rugby Championship.

WORLD CUP WRAP: Keira Bevan landed a penalty in the 85th minute to seal a dramatic 18-15 win for Wales over Scotland at the women's Rugby World Cup, while Canada and Italy also tasted victory in Whangarei on Sunday.

The Springbok Women had a good review of their match against France last Saturday, analysed and digested the statistics, and are now ready to focus on Fiji, their second opponent in World Cup in New Zealand.

REACTION: Sharks coach Sean Everitt was searching for positives after his team's humbling loss to Leinster at the weekend.

Blues lock Patrick Tuipulotu will captain the inaugural All Blacks XV squad selected for two matches against Ireland A and the Barbarians next month.

MATCH REPORT: Franco Smith made a big statement against the Jake White-coached Bulls, as Glasgow Warriors recorded a commanding 35-21 win in their United Rugby Championship Round Four encounter on Saturday.

TRANSFER TALK: Ulster have confirmed that they will be recruiting a prop 'that is a proven winner on the biggest stage'.

WATCH as Lions centre Henco van Wyk shows he is made for international rugby.

MATCH REPORT: The Stormers kept their flawless United Rugby Championship start intact with a hard-fought 37-20 bonus point win over Zebre on Saturday in Parma. 

SATURDAY WRAP: Raffi Quirke came off the bench to fire Sale Sharks to an impressive 26-16 victory against English Premiership champions Leicester on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: Ulster cruised past Ospreys with a 47-17 victory in their United Rugby Championship Round Four clash at Ravenhill Stadium.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: New Zealand coach Ian Foster is sticking with the players who won the Rugby Championship and restored some pride to the wounded All Blacks, saying they "deserve" selection in the squad named on Sunday to tour the northern hemisphere.

MATCH REPORT: Cardiff picked up their first win since Round One, as they beat the Scarlets 16-10 in a United Rugby Championship Round Four encounter Llanelli on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: The Currie Cup champions, the Pumas, edged Western Province 27-20 in a thrilling match in the Challenge Series in Bloemfontein on Sunday.

MATCH REPORT:  Leinster surged clear after half-time to emerge with a 54-34 bonus-point victory from their thrilling encounter with the Sharks in Dublin.

Toulon head coach Franck Azema said Cheslin Kolbe is a "driving force" for the team after the South Africa wing made a try-scoring return from injury in Saturday's 47-0 French Top 14 hammering of Brive.

INJURY UPDATE: One of the Bulls' most talented and exciting players will miss the Springboks' year-end tour through injury.

WATCH as Stormers coach John Dobson vents his frustration over what he described as an 'inconsistent' three-week ban handed out to prop Sazi Sandi.

SUNDAY FUNDAY: The Cheetahs will host unbeaten Emerging Ireland in the Challenge Series on Sunday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Retired Welsh referee Nigel Owens has revealed why he recently accepted an invitation from United Rugby Championship referees boss Tappe Henning to become part of the four-strong independent referee selection panel.

REACTION: Worcester Warriors' player Harri Doel said on Friday he was "gutted" to hear the English side has been liquidated this week and his contract had been terminated.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Round Four United Rugby Championship encounter between Glasgow Warriors and the Bulls.

WORLD CUP WRAP: Big wins for England, France and New Zealand on Day one of the World Cup.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Round Four United Rugby Championship encounter between Leinster and the Sharks at the RDS in Dublin.

PREMIERSHIP REPORT: Exeter Chiefs powered to a 50-14 win over Bristol Bears at Ashton Gate on Friday.

SPOTLIGHT: Rugby Australia might walk away from their Super Rugby partnership after the governing body was left disappointed with New Zealand Rugby, according to reports. 

URC REPORT: Connacht crowned their first appearance on the Sportsground’s new 4G pitch with a dogged 20-11 United Rugby Championship derby win over Munster.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Round Four United Rugby Championship encounter between Zebre and the Stormers in Parma.

WATCH as Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen talks about his team's three-match URC sweep of Wales and Scotland.

NEWS: Sharks will be the first of the South African clubs in action when Harlequins travel to Durban in the Champions Cup.

URC REPORT: The Lions ended their three-match United Rugby Championship tour unbeaten with a thrilling 22-19 win over Edinburgh on Friday.

SATURDAY PREVIEW: Victory over Leinster in Dublin never comes easy, even more so if you attempt such a feat at the RDS.

DISCIPLINARY NEWS: The disciplinary decision on Sazi Sandi's act of foul play has been revealed.

TRANSFER TALK: Top French club Toulon have reportedly shown keen interest in signing the Springbok flyhalf Elton Jantjies.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White has named a very young front row to face off against a grizzled Glasgow Warriors at the Scotstoun Stadium on Saturday.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Round Four United Rugby Championship encounter between Edinburgh and the Lions in the Scottish capital.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Stormers coach John Dobson has made a number of changes, including a 'new' captain, for their United Rugby Championship encounter with Zebre at the Stadio Lanfranchi, in Parma, on Saturday.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: The World Cup opening match day at Eden Park on October 8 has officially sold out, with a record crowd set to fill New Zealand’s iconic national stadium.

TRANSFER NEWS: New Zealand loosehead prop Karl Tu'inukuafe has officially been unveiled as a Montpellier player.

NEWS: Ten referees in England have raised concerns in an external RFU investigation about potential barriers to progression and feedback provided to them based on body size, weight or shape.

NEWS: Former England rugby star Steve Thompson says he feels like a "phoney" because he cannot remember being part of the 2003 World Cup-winning team.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Sharks take an almost unchanged line-up into Saturday's United Rugby Championship clash against Leinster, as they look to finish their three-match European tour on a high.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: It was a case of “the road less travelled” for the Springbok Women when they made their return to international rugby in 2017, three years after their 2014 Rugby World Cup exit.

TOP 14 PREVIEW: Raymond Rhule says having a "special bond" with fellow Springbok Dillyn Leyds has allowed the pair to blossom at La Rochelle, before Saturday's trip to Bayonne.

NEWS: New Zealand Rugby revealed some more contract news.

TRANSFER NEWS: Northampton Saints confirmed that veteran flyhalf Dan Biggar will leave the club at the end of the 2022/23 season.

UPDATE: Worcester were suspended from the English Premiership and Premiership Rugby Cup for the rest of this season on Thursday and will be relegated from the top flight after plunging into a financial crisis.

MATCH REPORT: The Griquas bounce back with a comfortable 41-7 win over the Bulls on Wednesday in Bloemfontein.

NEWS: The Bulls will be sporting their pink strip when they host the Sharks in a United Rugby Championship clash on October 30.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Damian Willemse has taken his commitment to the Stormers to another level.

TRANSFER NEWS: Edinburgh announced that British & Irish Lions and Scotland star wing Duhan van der Merwe is returning to the capital on a long-term deal, subject to visa, medical and regulatory clearances.

REACTION: The RFU revealed that Worcester Warriors are likely to be relegated from the Premiership.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Former Scotland international Jim Hamilton has questioned the wisdom of Leicester Tigers shelling out a massive amount of money to sign Springboks flyhalf Handre Pollard.

MATCH REPORT: Emerging Ireland recorded back-to-back victories on South African soil, beating the Pumas 28-24 on Wednesday. 

FRIDAY PREVIEW: Former Springbok captain John Smit believes Edinburgh will be a "step too far" for the Lions in Round Four of the 2022/23 United Rugby Championship season.

NEWS: Troubled Premiership club Worcester are braced for a player exodus after a company that holds their contracts was wound up at a court hearing on Wednesday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Lions head coach Ivan van Rooyen has revealed his team to face Edinburgh in their United Rugby Championship Round Four clash in Scotland on Friday.

WATCH as World Cup-winning Springbok captain John Smit explains what impact the results of URC matches could have on the Springboks' World Cup campaign.

NEWS: The officials for the Springboks’ four Tests in November have been confirmed. 

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Springbok Women's team to play France in their opening Pool C match of the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand has a familiar and experienced look to it.

SPOTLIGHT: Sharks loose forward Phepsi Buthelezi believes there is enough firepower in his touring squad to shock Irish giants Leinster in Dublin on Saturday.

NEWS: England will be without a key player for their November internationals.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Samoa on Wednesday took advantage of World Rugby's new eligibility rules.

MIDWEEK MADNESS: The Currie Cup champions, the Pumas, get their first taste of competitive rugby since winning the title in sensational fashion in Kimberley in June.

WATCH as World Cup-winning Springbok captain John Smit and Scottish legend John Barclay unpack South Africa's great start to URC Two.

SPOTLIGHT: A player who used to torment them in the colours of a rival South African franchise might just prove to be one of the most formidable obstacles the Sharks need to overcome on Saturday.

NEWS: France international Gabin Villiere is set for further ankle surgery which will rule the wing out of the Six Nations champions' November internationals.

SPOTLIGHT: Rugby chiefs must take urgent action to reduce head injuries after a study indicated that former international players are 15 times more likely to develop motor neurone disease.

NEWS: There was some big transfer news coming out of Japan on Tuesday.

SPOTLIGHT: The growth of the Springbok Women’s team over the last 12 months and their determined climb up the world rankings had many take notice of a potential new entry into the top ten of the world game.

NEWS: The match officials appointments for the United Rugby Championship Round four fixtures have been confirmed.

SPOTLIGHT: England flank Tom Curry believes Rugby Union has "come on leaps and bounds in terms of player safety" amid fears the sport's future is at stake from concussion.

NEWS: Handre Pollard, the World Cup-winning Springbok flyhalf, is currently being assessed for his latest injury and the news is not good.

SPOTLIGHT: Stormers head coach John Dobson is hoping to find solutions to a few problems during his team’s three-match United Rugby Championship tour.

NEWS: Jordie Barrett has officially put pen-to-paper on a new deal that will keep him in the capital, with the Hurricanes and New Zealand Rugby, through till the end of 2025.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Stormers have left three key players behind, as they headed off on a three-match United Rugby Championship tour to Italy and Wales.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The unbeaten Bulls departed for a three-match European trip on Monday without three stars.

NEWS: The South Africa 'A' coaching team has been revealed ahead of the Springboks' November tour.

NEWS: The Springboks will face a Six Nations team ahead of their 2023 World Cup campaign in France.

WATCH as Lions assistant coach Ricardo Loubscher and loose forward Francke Horn unpack the enormity of the challenge of facing Edinburgh on the Scottish team's home soil.

WATCH as Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen unpacks his team's success during a two-match sweep on their tour of Wales.

SPOTLIGHT: Leinster head coach Leo Cullen knows that the Sharks will be getting some "inside information" ahead of their clash in Dublin on Saturday.

SPOTLIGHT: Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth has finally arrived in Durban and he went straight to the weights.

NEWS: Ruben Machelm, the interim CEO of Western Province Professional Rugby for the past year, has ended his association with the organisation.

SPOTLIGHT: The Springbok Women are perfectly happy to sail under the radar at the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.

NEWS: Wales will face two former World Cup champions next year, as part of preparations for the 2023 tournament in France.

NEWS: The Highlanders have revealed their new attack coach ahead of the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific season.

TOP 14 SUNDAY REPORT: Melvyn Jaminet enjoyed a 100 percent success rate with the boot to lead Toulouse to a 19-17 win over Montpellier on Sunday.

SPOTLIGHT: There was the usual chatter and small talk amongst the 12 captains at the women's World Cup at Eden Park in Auckland, during the official captain's photo of the showpiece.

UPDATE: Worcester Warriors have had to withdraw medical insurance from players at the behest of their insurance providers, further denting hopes of a rapid return to the field for the ailing club.

REACTION: Watch as Cheetahs coach Hawies Fourie explains why his team was forced to field three hookers at the weekend.

SQUAD UPDATE: England coach Eddie Jones has been forced to replace three players from a pre-season camp.

SPOTLIGHT: World Rugby will have to revisit the decision to allow referees to arbitrarily decide when water breaks should be in the game.

REACTION: Cardiff 'representatives' will meet with the management of a local pub on Monday, following some apparent 'appalling behaviour' by some players at the establishment over the weekend.

ROUND THREE OVERVIEW: South African teams are dominating the opening rounds of the URC with all four franchises populating the top eight of the league table.

MATCH REPORT: Harlequins hooker Jack Musk scored two tries as his side recorded a bonus-point 35-29 victory at home to Northampton in the Premiership.

SPOTLIGHT: Sharks head coach Sean Everitt praised his team's character for staying in the fight against the Dragons in Newport on Saturday.

REACTION: Evan Roos is one of the most exciting young players in South Africa, but his temperament has been under the spotlight.

TOP 14 SATURDAY WRAP: South Africa fullback Dillyn Leyds scored nine points from the tee as La Rochelle beat Racing92 24-19 to take over as leaders of the French Top 14 on Saturday.

SPOTLIGHT: Roger Tuivasa-Scheck has moved to end speculation he could return to the NRL from Rugby Union.

SPOTLIGHT: Eddie Jones has told players looking to break into his England side to forget about a Test call-up if they fail to be wholly committed to defensive duties, despite the start of the new Premiership season featuring a blizzard of tries.

MATCH REPORT: Munster's superior maul delivered their opening win of the season as they overcame Zebre Parma 21-5 in their United Rugby Championship Round Three match at Musgrave Park.

MATCH REPORT: The Sharks recorded their second straight victory on their United Rugby Championship tour with a 20-19 win over the Dragons in a scrappy affair in Newport on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: The Stormers made it two wins from two matches in the 2022/2023 United Rugby Championship season after they recorded a 34-18 victory over Edinburgh in Cape Town on Saturday.

REACTION: The Jurie Roux saga continues to garner banner headlines - most of which suggest his fate is sealed.

MATCH REPORT: Benetton held off a second-half Scarlets fightback to claim a 34-23 victory from their United Rugby Championship clash in Treviso.

SATURDAY WRAP: Handre Pollard limped off just 27 minutes into his Leicester debut, just five weeks after a knee injury prematurely ended his Rugby Championship campaign with the Springboks.

MATCH REPORT: Keelan Giles scored a pair of tries as the Ospreys registered a 32-17 bonus-point victory over Glasgow Warriors in their United Rugby Championship[ Round Three match in Swansea on Saturday.

REACTION: New Zealand centre Quinn Tupaea is targeting next year's World Cup as he begins a nine-month recovery from a knee injury sustained against Australia.

REACTION: Edinburgh head coach Mike Blair revealed his frustrations with the referee Frank Murphy’s scrum decisions in his side's 18-34 defeat to the Stormers in Cape Town on Saturday.

REACTION: The owners of English Premiership club Worcester hit out at both players and supporters as the crisis around the team intensified.

INJURY UPDATE: The Bulls may have remained unbeaten in the United Rugby Championship, but they may well be without three stars on their European trip.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Round Three United Rugby Championship encounter between the Dragons and Sharks at Rodney Parade in Newport.

REPORT: Bristol Bears suffered their first defeat of the Premiership season as they were outgunned by Newcastle Falcons 35-20 at Kingston Park on Friday.

MATCH REPORT: The Cheetahs opened their Challenge Series campaign with a 17-14 win over the Bulls in a scrappy affair in Bloemfontein on Friday.

MATCH REPORT: The Bulls recorded their third consecutive United Rugby Championship win of the season, beating Connacht 28-14 at Loftus Versfeld on Friday.

MATCH REPORT: The Emerging Ireland team proved far too strong for the beaten Currie Cup finalists Griquas.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Round Three United Rugby Championship encounter between the Stormers and Edinburgh in Cape Town.

NEWS: There was some big news coming out of the Stormers camp on Friday.

MATCH REPORT: It was a very successful tour for the Lions as they secured back-to-back wins in Wales.

MATCH REPORT: A dominant first half helped Leinster triumph 20-13 and go three wins from three in a top-of-the-table Irish derby clash with Ulster at a rain-swept Kingspan Stadium in Belfast.

NEWS: The winner of South Africa's Players’ Player of the Year award has been revealed.

WATCH as new Bulls recruit Chris Smit knocks himself out while in the process of scoring a try.

NEWS: All Blacks centre Quinn Tupaea faces nine months out and may miss the World Cup with the knee injury he sustained in a cleanout by Australia's Darcy Swain.

TOP 14 PREVIEW: Ever since the end of the 1990s French rugby and the Top 14 has been littered with gnarly, aggressive Georgian forwards making mincemeat of opponents at set-pieces, but one 20-year-old back is helping change the image of the Lelos.

SATURDAY PREVIEW: Sharks head coach Sean Everitt knows that his team will be up against a different Dragons side on Saturday to the one they faced in Durban in April last season.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Round Three United Rugby Championship encounter between Cardiff and the Lions at Arms Park.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Round Three United Rugby Championship encounter between the Bulls and Connacht at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.

BLOEMFONTEIN BATTLE: Friday has become a little bit more entertaining as the Challenge Series kicks off in Bloemfontein.

NEWS: Ireland centre Bundee Aki is set to miss home Tests against world champions South Africa and Fiji.

INTERVIEW: Joseph Dweba is not everybody's cup of tea and has come in for some severe criticism in the wake of some underwhelming Springbok performances this year.

FRIDAY PREVIEW: Irish province Connacht won't have the infamous Galway Gale as an ally. They will certainly have to be content with the Pretoria passion on Friday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Sharks know that the clash against the Dragons this Saturday, in their second tour match of this year's United Rugby Championship is going to be a challenge.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Stormers head coach John Dobson has revealed his team to face Edinburgh in Cape Town on Saturday.

SPOTLIGHT: Friday's Irish Derby in Belfast could identify the main rival to the South African hopes of repeating last year’s trophy success in the United Rugby Championship.

INJURY UPDATE: World Cup-winning Springbok lock Rudolph Snyman's injury woes were compounded this week.

NEWS: The record attendance for a women's World Cup match is set to be broken.

REACTION: Worcester Warriors captain Ted Hill said on Wednesday that while "everyone wants everything to work out" at the English Premiership crisis club, his teammates will need a "Plan B" regarding their own futures amid the ongoing uncertainty over the team's future.

REACTION: Exeter Director of Rugby Rob Baxter said higher England match fees could help stop players leaving the Premiership for bigger salaries abroad.

NEWS: Leon MacDonald has been announced as Head Coach of the All Blacks XV and will guide the team on a two-match end-of-year tour.

NEWS: Three former players, including two Ireland internationals, have issued legal proceedings against the Irish Rugby Football Union that are reportedly related to alleged concussion injuries.

TRANSFER NEWS: Leicester Tigers have agreed deals with England stars Freddie Steward, George Martin and Jack van Poortvliet.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: As the rugby world braces itself for the third round of the United Rugby Championship, the Bulls get set to host a hungry Connacht team at Loftus Versfeld on Friday.

NEWS: World Rugby will be watching closely after approving a host of new rules to be trialled at two Queensland Reds games.

INJURY UPDATE: Springbok flyhalf Handre Pollard has shared some positive news regarding his knee injury.

OPINION: Respected and acclaimed former Test referee Freek Burger gives 101 hints that can help match officials deal with the current crisis in the game.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: On the back of a morale-boosting 28-27 win against Ospreys in Swansea, the Lions take on Cardiff on Friday.

NEWS: The match officials appointments for the United Rugby Championship Round Three fixtures have been confirmed.

MEDICAL UPDATE: The Stormers paid a dear price for Irish international Bundee Aki's vicious and illegal cleanout of star back Seabelo Senatla's injury.

NEWS: Bok superstar Cheslin Kolbe has opened up on who he thinks will be 'favourites' for the 2023 World Cup.

INJURY UPDATE: France centre Arthur Vincent will be sidelined for 'several months' after aggravating a left knee injury on his return to Top 14 action with French champions Montpellier.

SPOTLIGHT: Saturday's win over the Ospreys in Swansea was an example of the depth the Lions are building among their halfbacks.

SPOTLIGHT: Referee Mathieu Raynal said he took "100 percent responsibility" for the disputed decision at the end of this month's first Test between Australia and New Zealand.

NEWS: United Rugby Championship Head of Match Officials Tappe Henning has added a new element to the competition with the introduction of an independent referee selection panel.

SPOTLIGHT: Sharks star Aphelele Fassi is hoping he can grow his game this season and be a leader on the field as well.

SPOTLIGHT: The Stormers could have a few more Boks back in their team for Saturday’s United Rugby Championship Round Three clash against Edinburgh at Cape Town Stadium

SPOTLIGHT: None celebrated winning the United Rugby Championship Grand Final more than Hacjivah Dayimani, and the rapid loose forward is determined for the Stormers to deliver a second successive title to the region.

NEWS: English Premiership side Worcester were suspended from all competitions by the Rugby Football Union on Monday after failing to meet a funding ultimatum.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The United Rugby Championship Head of Match Officials Tappe Henning is very pleased with his referees' performance.

NEWS: While there were minimal changes to the World Rugby Rankings as a result of the final round of matches in the Rugby Championship, there was plenty of movement for the teams involved over the course of the six-week-long competition.

STAT ATTACK: It was the closest tournament in several years with the title only being decided by the result of the last match of the season.

REACTION: Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White is extremely pleased with his inexperienced team's performance against Edinburgh on Saturday. 

REACTION: Lions head coach says there is more "belief" creeping into his squad.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Eddie Jones has named a 36-player England squad who will meet for a three-day training camp this weekend.

SPOTLIGHT: The Springboks might not have won the Rugby Championship, however they head into their year-end tour with a formidable No.8 - Jasper Wiese.

REACTION: Stormers head coach John Dobson revealed that wing Seabelo Senatla is set to be out of action for a lengthy period after he sustained a "serious injury" in a dangerous cleanout from Connacht centre Bundee Aki.

NEWS: Rugby Australia boss Andy Marinos has ruled out involvement by teams from Japan or the US in Super Rugby in the near future, saying fans want consistency in the competition.

SPOTLIGHT: After their latest Bledisloe Cup humiliation, the Wallabies can at least take heart that they won't lose at Eden Park in 2023, with the ground off limits thanks to the FIFA Women's World Cup.

SPOTLIGHT: With less than a year to go until the Rugby World Cup, England coach Eddie Jones is trying to formulate a group of players who can think for themselves.

WRAP: Australia centre Irae Simone scored his first Top 14 try as Clermont beat La Rochelle 22-13 at home on Sunday.

NEWS: Leinster's former England head coach Stuart Lancaster has been appointed Racing 92 boss for next season, the Irish province announced on Monday.

REACTION: It was an inauspicious United Rugby Championship opener on Friday for the Sharks.

SPOTLIGHT: Wallabies coach Dave Rennie has made a very blunt assessment of the state of Test match officials following his team's 14-40 defeat to All Blacks on Saturday.

SPOTLIGHT: Controversial former Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus is likely to be back with the team on their end-of-year Northern Hemisphere tour as a lengthy ban from attending matches comes to an end.

MATCH REPORT: Exeter snatched a second successive home win with the last play of the game to thwart Harlequins’ stunning second-half comeback.

MATCH REPORT: Dragons claimed their first United Rugby Championship win of the season after hitting back to beat Munster 23-17 at home.

SPOTLIGHT: After using 34 players in this year's Rugby Championship, Springbok head coach Jacques Nienaber believes that some questions have been answered over position depth.

REACTION: It was not too long ago when the bell tolled for All Blacks coach Ian Foster.

REACTION: Springbok captain Siya Kolisi has defended his team's game plan once again after they fell short in their bid to win the Rugby Championship title.

REACTION: Second best in all areas by their own admission, the Wallabies must now regroup from another Eden Park shellacking to take on the might of European rugby.

REACTION: Argentina head coach Michael Cheika has revealed his frustrations with the refereeing decisions in his team's 21-38 defeat to the Boks in Durban.

TOP 14 SATURDAY WRAP: South African flyhalf Tristan Tedder kicked 14 points as Perpignan claimed their first win of the Top 14 season with a 19-13 victory over Toulon on Saturday.

RUGBY CHAMPS REPORT: The All Blacks have claimed the Rugby Championship title once again after the Springboks failed to meet their targets in their final-round match against Argentina on Saturday.

PREMIERSHIP SATURDAY WRAP: Worcester director of rugby Steve Diamond revealed his players held a vote over whether to go ahead with Saturday's match against Newcastle.

MATCH REPORT: Scrumhalf John Cooney scored 30 points as Ulster beat Scarlets 55-39 in a 12-try thriller at Parc y Scarlets.

MATCH REPORT: The Lions got their URC tour off to a winning start when they edged the Ospreys 28-27 in a thriller in Swansea on Saturday.

REPORT: The All Blacks kept their hopes of bagging the Rugby Championship title, beating the Wallabies 40-14 at Eden Park on Saturday.

SOCIAL REACTION: A contentious try by veteran second row Sam Whitelock has left many fans scratching their heads after the All Blacks defeated the Wallabies in Auckland on Saturday.

NEWS: Three "rivalry" match-ups for each team are a feature of the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific draw announced on Sunday.

REPORT: A late Morne Steyn penalty handed the Bulls a dramatic 33-31 win against Edinburgh at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Round Two United Rugby Championship encounter between the Ospreys and the Lions in Swansea.

OPINION: The Springboks ended their Rugby Championship with a hard-fought 38-21 win over the Los Pumas at Kings Park on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: The Stormers started their United Rugby Championship title defence with a 38-15 bonus-point win over Connacht in Stellenbosch on Saturday.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Round Six Rugby Championship Test between South Africa and Argentina at Kings Park in Durban.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Round Two United Rugby Championship encounter between the Bulls and Edinburgh at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Round Two United Rugby Championship encounter between the Stormers and Connacht at the Danie Craven stadium in Stellenbosch.

MATCH REPORT: The Sharks managed to hold on for a nailbiting 42-37 United Rugby Championship win over Zebre in Parma on Friday.

SATURDAY PREVIEW: Stormers coach John Dobson readily admits his team has a MASSIVE target on their proverbial backs.

OPINION: The Wallabies have fallen to a sizeable loss at Eden Park, suffering a 14-40 defeat at the hands of their arch-rivals, the All Blacks.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Round Six Rugby Championship Test between New Zealand and Australia at Eden Park in Auckland.

OPINION: Following a controversial finish in Melbourne, the All Blacks and Wallabies both entered their Eden Park rematch with a point to prove.

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP, ROUND SIX: New Zealand can put one hand on the Rugby Championship trophy with victory against Australia at their Eden Park fortress on Saturday.

NEWS: French Top 14 side Racing 92 confirmed on Thursday they have held talks with Leinster's senior coach Stuart Lancaster about joining the club next season.

MATCH REPORT: Wasps managed to put fears of financial ruin to one side for 80 minutes at least with a 39-31 win at Bath in the English Premiership on Friday.

MATCH REPORT: Glasgow Warriors bounced back from their opening-round defeat to Benetton with a 52-24 bonus-point victory over Cardiff at Scotstoun.

MATCH REPORT: Ireland hooker Dan Sheehan helped himself to four tries as Leinster had little trouble in beating Benetton 42-10 in the United Rugby Championship at the RDS.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Round Two United Rugby Championship encounter between Zebre and the Sharks in Parma.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Springbok Women prop Babalwa Latsha does not take the huge responsibility of having to represent South Africa at the 2021 World Cup lightly. 

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White has revealed his team to face Edinburgh in Pretoria on Saturday.

WATCH the day Springbok hard man Bakkie Botha his captain for just 'one more' chance to lay into an opponent.

FRIDAY PREVIEW: @king365ed looks at the intriguing start to Round Two of the @URCOfficial, as some South African teams hit the road.

SPOTLIGHT: Marius Louw believes his knowledge of the game has been steadily increasing since he arrived in Johannesburg a few months ago.

NEWS: Ireland midfielder Chris Farrell has been stood down with immediate effect by Munster after the Bordeaux Court of Appeal confirmed on Thursday he had been charged with the alleged non-prevention of crime in the Grenoble rugby club rape case.

TOP 14 PREVIEW: New Zealand centre Francis Saili says he has "massive shoes to fill" as Virimi Vakatawa's replacement at Racing 92 before Saturday’s Top 14 trip to Toulouse.

NEWS: Some of the Bulls' stars have made decisions regarding their playing futures.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Stormers head coach John Dobson has revealed his team to face Connacht in their URC opener on Saturday.

WATCH AS United Rugby Championship CEO Martin Anayi unpacks the success of the first season and the attraction of South African teams.

REACTION: Bristol owner Steve Lansdown said on Thursday that investing in English club rugby amounts to putting money into a "black hole" as Premiership sides Wasps and Worcester struggle to stay afloat.

WATCH as Bulls Director of Rugby makes a very generous and unique offer to fans at the United Rugby Championship encounter between his team and Edinburgh Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP, ROUND SIX: The 2022 edition of the Rugby Championship has been an intriguing one and it will go down to the wire in Durban on Saturday.

SPOTLIGHT: Dave Rennie has lit the fuse ahead of the Rugby Championship finale.

STATISTICAL ANALYSES: @king365ed crunches the numbers ahead of the decisive Round Six Rugby Championship encounter between the Springboks and Los Pumas.

SPOTLIGHT: Stormers head coach John Dobson is hoping Alapati Leiua will help him solve some midfield puzzles in the 2022/2023 season.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Sam Whitelock will captain New Zealand against Australia for this weekend's pivotal Rugby Championship clash in Auckland with Sam Cane ruled out as the All Blacks rung the changes Thursday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Argentina head coach Michael Cheika has revealed his team for Saturday's Rugby Championship finale against the Springboks in Durban.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Wallabies head coach Dave Rennie has revealed his team to face the All Blacks in Saturday's Rugby Championship Round Six clash in Auckland.

INTERVIEW: South Africa's coach Jacques Nienaber has taken a not-so-subtle dig at media hacks that have looked to stir trouble for his team.

REACTION: Wallabies head coach Dave Rennie says World Rugby admitted that a crunch time-wasting call in the opening Bledisloe Cup loss was wrong.

NEWS: Wasps are the latest English Premiership club in danger of financial ruin after revealing their intention to appoint an administrator.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Lions have made a number of changes for the opening match of their United Rugby Championship tour.

NEWS: Australia's Darcy Swain has received a lengthy ban for the incident that left New Zealand's Quinn Tupaea with a bad knee injury.

SPOTLIGHT: Despite getting the better of their opponents in Buenos Aires, the Springboks are taking nothing for granted ahead of their rematch with Argentina in the final round of the Rugby Championship in Durban.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Sharks have bulked up with some Springbok muscle for their opening match of the United Rugby Championship season - against a much-improved Zebre on Friday.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Nolusindiso Booi will lead the Springbok Women to New Zealand in what will be a third Rugby World Cup for the South African captain and lock.

UPDATE: Cash-strapped Worcester Warriors' participation in the Premiership has been cast into doubt.

NEWS: The match official appointments for the United Championship Round Two fixtures have been confirmed.

SPOTLIGHT: The Wallabies have no issue with French referee Mathieu Raynal officiating their rematch with the All Blacks even as they still fume from late decisions in their opening Bledisloe Cup defeat.

SPOTLIGHT: It took hooker Jan-Hendrik Wessels just 15 minutes to announce himself in the 2022/23 United Rugby Championship in what was a powerful statement against the Lions.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: @king365ed delves into the archives to highlight the amazing journey of Springbok flyhalf Francois Philippus Lodewyk Steyn.

SPOTLIGHT: The unsung hero of last season’s title win, Andre-Hugo Venter has all the ability to establish himself as a regular in the Stormers' starting line-up in the 2022-23 United Rugby Championship.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Australia 'A' coach Jason Gilmore has confirmed a 34-man squad for the upcoming three-match tour against Japan XV in Japan.

INTERVIEW: Edinburgh, loaded with Scottish internationals and a South African physicality, can expect a 'hot' welcome at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

NEWS: Veteran Springbok Ruan Pienaar has stepped down as captain of the Cheetahs.

NEWS UPDATE: French prosecutors on Tuesday demanded prison time for Bernard Laporte, a towering figure in French rugby.